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Ole Miss rallies from behind to win thriller over LSU, 55-49

Posted by | Sep 30, 2023 |

Ole Miss rallies from behind to win thriller over LSU, 55-49

OXFORD, Miss. – Saturday evening at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium the Rebels played host to arguably the game of the year, as Ole Miss came out on top over LSU, 55-49, in thrilling fashion.  

The two top offenses in the SEC went to battle, and boy, was it a shootout. Both teams were up and down the field all night, as the end of it saw a sea of red cover Jerry-Hollingsworth Field. It was a roller-coaster of emotions for Ole Miss fans Saturday night, and there was no way anyone was stopping the record-breaking 66,703 Rebel fans from celebrating on the field following that one. 

 Head coach Lane Kiffin commented postgame about Saturday night’s atmosphere in the Vaught. 

 “For our fans to show up today…and set the record for highest attendance in school history…that’s awesome. You could feel it in the game.“ 

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin

Game Recap: 

Defense 

No doubt Pete Golding’s plan coming into this one was to keep LSU QB Jayden Daniels at bay. Daniels took a deep shot early during the Tigers first drive, but the Rebel defense stood tall, giving the ball back to their offense with the 7-0 lead.  

Daniels and the LSU offense soon seemed to be finding their groove, using the run game to drive into Rebel territory. However, Daniels decided to fight for some extra yards on 3rd down and paid the price. Rebel corner Daijahn Anthony brought out the ‘boom-stick’ forcing a fumble to give the Ole Miss the ball back.  

The LSU offense showed some grit following their turnover in Ole Miss territory. Daniels marched the Tigers back down the field again to make it a one score game, making a throw to Malik Nabers in the endzone that you just can’t beat.   

Although the intensity level looked high early for the Ole Miss defense, it became difficult to contain the No. 1 ranked offense in the SEC. Daniels drove the Tigers down once again, answering the Rebels’ score with one of their own to bring back within a touchdown.  

The Ole Miss defense struggled to get a push throughout the first half, allowing LSU to control the line of scrimmage on most of their drives. Trailing 28-14, Daniels, again, made another perfect throw to the back pylon to bring the Tigers within a touchdown once again with four and half minutes left in the second quarter.   

The Rebel defense struggled to find an answer for Daniels all night. Jaxson Dart trains with Daniels in the offseason, and said he was not surprised by what he saw from the Tiger QB. 

“I expected it. We have the exact same QB coach in offseason. I’ve always known what kind of talent he is. I knew it was going to be a shootout. He does so many great things for his team. I knew it was going to be a tight game. Much respect to him.“ 

Jaxson Dart on LSU QB Jayden Daniels

This one turned into a shootout before the end of the first half. Daniels continued to ‘wow’ the crowd with his accuracy, tossing another touchdown pass that only his receiver could catch to bring the Tigers within a field goal. The Rebels took a 31-28 lead into the half after the Tigers missed a field goal as the first half expired.  

In desperate need of some stops, the Rebel defense came out flat to start the second half. The LSU run game just kept gashing the Ole Miss D-line, marching down the field to take a 35-31 lead, their first lead of the game.  

The LSU offense just kept rolling and it appeared the Ole Miss front had no answer to the run game. The Tigers drove 75-yards once again, extending their lead to 42-34 with just under four minutes to go in the third quarter.  

Golding dialed up some pressure on third and long, and finally, the Rebel defense got to Daniels. It was Ashanti Cistrunk who came up with the sack at the best time possible for the Rebels, as the defense put the ball back in Dart’s hands trailing by two.  

The Rebels were staring at the most critical point of the game, needing to answer on both sides of the ball. Lane Kiffin commented postgame on their response at this point.  

“Down two scores in the 4th quarter…..we are just really proud of these guys for overcoming adversity in the game and the week…they took a lot of heat for their performance against Alabama and that’s good. Standards have changed around here.“ 

Lane Kiffin

After the offense failed to capitalize on the defensive stop, the LSU offense got right back to work. Daniels made another unbelievable throw to the pylon, a close play that was eventually upheld to give the Tigers a 49-40 lead with eight and half minutes to play.  

Ole Miss soon answered to make it a two point game, with LSU leading 49-47.

With a chance to put the game away, the Tigers began to fall apart offensively. Penalties started rolling in and the Rebels seemed to have all the momentum. Cistrunk came up big once again, recording his second sack of the game on the biggest third down of the game.  

Offense 

Although coming into the game the 2nd ranked offense in the SEC, it felt like the Rebel offense had something to prove. Ole Miss received the opening kickoff and got to work immediately, getting Quinshon Judkins going early. Jaxson Dart marched the Rebels down the field, capping off the drive with a swing pass to a wide open Judkins for the score.  

Much like a year ago, the Ole Miss offense was firing on all cylinders to start the game. Points off turnovers are always huge, and Ulysses ‘Doo’ Bentley IV made that happen quickly following the fumble recovery with a 43-yard scamper into the endzone to give Ole Miss a 14-0 lead. 

Judkins had his best game of the season thus far, but the Rebel star running back had all the praise for his counter, Ulysses Bentley, postgame. 

“I have a lot of confidence in him, and anyone in our running backs room…I know they work hard, do their job. There’s no worries about their talent.“ 

Quinshon Judkins on Bentley and the RB room

Dart continued his great first quarter, responding to Daniels’ touchdown toss with one of his own to give the Rebels a 21-7 lead with seconds to go in the first quarter. Dart found his favorite target Jordan Watkins in the middle of the field and Watkins did the rest, taking it 63 yards to the house.   


The Rebel offense came to play in the first half, looking much different than they did a week ago in Tuscaloosa. Third down conversions were huge for Ole Miss following the LSU score that made it 21-14. Dart orchestrated the offense down the field, eventually finding Dayton Wade with no one near him, giving the Rebels a 28-14 lead late in the first half.  

For the first time since the punt on their second drive, the Rebel offense was somewhat slowed down. A big time catch and run from Tre Harris on third down put the Rebels deep into LSU territory, but a holding call stalled the drive and forced Ole Miss to settle for three.  

Harris had a huge day, scoring the game winning touchdown and adding 153 yards receiving to that. The receiver had a feeling it was going to be a special day, and he spoke postgame about his calmness leading into the game. 

“I told this to Jaxson…I woke up today and I had a soothing calmness over me. Usually I’m amped up but I had a calmness over me. I came to the game prepared, ready and calm.” 

Tre Harris

Looking to answer LSU’s touchdown to open the second half, the Rebels marched into Tiger territory. Yet again, penalties halted the drive for Ole Miss, forcing them to settle for three which made it a 34-35 game mid-way through the third.  

Needing points, the Rebel offense trotted back onto the field trailing by eight. The fourth quarter began following a big run from Dart, as he hurdled a defender for a 27-yard gain. Eventually, Judkins muscled his way in behind his tight end Caden Prieskorn. After the failed 2-point attempt, the Rebels trailed 42-40 with little under a quarter to play.  

Dart had a career night, finishing with 439 yards of total offense and 5 touchdowns. The Rebel QB was asked if he had ever played in a game like this before. “Hell no….that was one of the funnest games of my life,” he said postgame.  

Judkins finally got going after a rough start to the year. Another big play from Tre Harris set the Rebels up nicely, allowing Judkins to put it on the 1-yard line. Dart did the rest, sneaking it into the endzone, bringing the game back within two with five minutes remaining.  

Jaxson Dart commented on his offensive line’s performance postgame. 

“I’m so proud of them…With the criticism they’ve received, I know it’s been hard on them. We had to get back to our identity of being a balanced team. They took ownership..they wanted to have a coming out party and that’s what they did.”  

Jaxson Dart on the Ole Miss O-line

Trailing by two with two and half minutes on the clock, the Rebel offense needed 88 yards to go for the win. Behind the legs of Judkins and more big time plays from Harris, Ole Miss set themselves up at the 13-yard line with just over 40 seconds left in the game.  

Dart then found Harris for his fourth touchdown pass of the night, ultimately deciding the game 55-49 as the Rebel defense stood tall with 39 seconds left in the game following the score.  

Up Next 

Following a big win in prime time, Ole Miss will stay at home next Saturday in prime time once again. The Arkansas Razorbacks will visit the Vaught on October 7th, coming off a loss to Texas A&M. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm CT on the SEC Network.    
Kameron Wicker

Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.

About The Author

Kameron Wicker

Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.

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